Bushbuck

Bushbuck

While it was previously assumed that all bushbucks belonged to one species, a molecular biological study in 2009 revealed that there could be at least two species that are not even particularly closely related. However, further analyses are required to confirm the separation into two species.

Nutrition

Bushbucks feed mainly on leaves and other plant material. Their game trails in the forest are often like small tunnels through which they can move quickly in case of danger. They can also jump very well.

Distribution

They are found in Africa in various forest habitats and shrub savannah south of the Sahara.

Bushbucks are solitary animals. The animals move in strongly overlapping roaming areas that are not defended against other individuals. However, the males fight for females ready to mate by trying to throw their opponent off balance by crossing their horns and violently turning their heads, or by stabbing them with their horns. Young animals (singletons) are born throughout the year. Like many other antelopes, they lie in hiding for the first few weeks of their lives and their mother only approaches them a few times a day to suckle.

The bushbuck in our savannah was collected in Zimbabwe in 1997 and mounted by our taxidermist H. Meurer.